The 30th IATA International Ground Handling Conference (IGHC) will be held at the Centara Grand Hotel at CentralWorld in Bangkok, from 21 to 24 May. It promises to address vital issues affecting our ever-changing industry
The first AGS Networking Summit will take place on 20-21 September 2018 at the London Heathrow Marriott Hotel. Organised by AGS publisher EVA International Media, the event seeks to offer airlines and handlers a space in which to conduct productive one-to-one meetings regarding existing or new contracts and operational needs.
EVA International Media has been launching and running aviation magazines and events with great success since the late 1980s. This new event aims to provide an identifiable return on the investment of personnel, time and money involved in taking time away from the office for an industry gathering.
Bringing together handling companies with the relevant procurement managers from airlines, EVA International Media will assist in arranging exclusive appointments in private office suites as well as ad hoc meetings by reservation.
One of the first companies to sign up for the summit is Paris-headquartered Worldwide Flight Services (WFS). John Batten, EVP cargo Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia at the handler,
believes that senior managers with tight schedules “want a forum to hear new ideas that will improve customer satisfaction, increase customer loyalty, and provide business efficiencies”.
Pointing out that ground handling is now a big focus for WFS (whose business has historically been mostly in cargo), he explains: “We want to bring something new to the ground handling market that gives customers the resilience they need in an increasingly intense operating environment, backed by our global commitment to the highest standards of safety and security. We want to take responsibility for bringing customers new ideas, innovations, and economies of scale.
“Therefore, an event organised by people who understand our industry, and that brings together customers and prospects, is extremely timely and attractive.
“Sitting together and engaging with customers most often results in the best solutions. Delivering both cost and service efficiency just needs open and honest communications from both sides and that’s what we’re hoping for from this event.”
Another early sign-up is Havas Ground Handling Co (Turkey’s largest ground handling services provider). Mete Erna, the company’s deputy general manager, sales and marketing, is clear: “The decision to support the AGS Networking Summit in London was a simple one. The specialised context of the networking space provides the best opportunity to further develop our business relationships.”
Batten is also keen to highlight the benefits of holding this first AGS Networking Summit in London. “It makes sense for airline industry events to take place at major aviation hubs and, in this respect, London most certainly fits the bill.
“It is a city airline executives go to on a regular basis for their own business requirements so being able to combine this with attending a new event focused on their needs will only help to improve the level of participation,” he considers.
Feedback
An anonymous scoring system will be in place at the AGS Networking Summit, allowing participants to indicate how productive they feel their meetings are, as follows:
Green signals that the meeting was very productive, that participants were fully engaged, and that there is a high chance that they will keep in touch with the other party.
Orange means that the meeting was relevant, cordial and there may be a chance to work together in the future.
Red signals that the meeting was either a formality or that no acknowledgement of any future plan to work together in any capacity was noted. Red also signals that either the contact was not specifically pertinent or that the service required was not provided by the GSP.
Click here for more on the AGS Networking Summit and please contact Harley Khan for further information, bookings and sponsorship/advertising opportunities: harley@evaint.com
